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HD410 and DMX

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Oscar Engberg
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I'm producing a sound/light/video show and need to sync events in a sound/video file with light effects (DMX controlled).

Is it possible to sync HD410 to an Alcorn McBride DMX Machine via RS232?
So the DMX machine would send RS232 commands to play video files on the HD410.
http://www.alcorn.com/products/dmxmachine/specs.html

A pause/resume function for the sound/video is also desirable.
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  • 0
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    RokuLyndon


    Does the brightsign just need to be able to accept serial commands, and then play? The brightsign can't jump to a specific frame or place in a video, but it can start or stop playback based on input over serial or the network.



    Do you know the exact format that the output from the DMX machine will take? If you can provide details about what commands will be send and the expected behavior you want, we can help.



    This could require some scripting. Is this something you're comfortable doing, with a little assistance?
  • 0
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    Oscar Engberg


    I believe commands to play different files would be enough, assuming it's possible to make almost seamless transitions between files.

    95% of the show is sound and lights, there's no image/video until the end of the program. I guess cutting the material at quieter passages would be the best way to go.



    As far as I understand (I don't have the unit yet), the DMX Machine supports almost any RS232 compatible unit, since you can customize what commands to send using their WinScript software.



    So, I would connect buttons to the DMX Machine which would send different "play file" commands to the Brightsign. Would it be possible to script a pause/resume command also?



    My scripting knowledge is very basic, but I believe I could work it out if you provide me with an example for a play command and a pause/resume command.
  • 0
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    RokuLyndon


    I'm trying to decide if we need to script anything.





    Do you know if each file you need the Brightsign to play will only play once? Is it a workable solution to have each command sent reference a specific file?



    So, you might send "video1" to play video1.ts, for example.

    Do the files on the Brightsign have both video and audio?





    The transition from one video to another isn't seemless, but it's a pretty quick transition.
  • 0
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    Oscar Engberg


    Do you know if each file you need the Brightsign to play will only play once? Is it a workable solution to have each command sent reference a specific file?



    All files are to be played once except when the show is in "menu/pause mode". That file is to be looped until the "start show" button is pushed. After the show it returns to the menu mode.


    So, you might send "video1" to play video1.ts, for example.
    Do the files on the Brightsign have both video and audio?





    Most of the material is audio only, but since I don't want to go into controlling the projector's picture mute, I thought I'd make it all video files with black slugs for where there's no video.



    What about the pause/resume function?



    And, will the HD410 work for this?
  • 0
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    RokuLyndon


    I forwarded an email from Dick Harkey about an interface board he makes that includes DMX control. I'm posting again below.



    Dick Wrote:



    "Yep, the description below is exactly what the dmx controller is used for.







    Note: The serial port can’t be used to send DMX signals.  The baud rate for DMX is 250KBaud plus the communication protocol is not RS232 compatible it is RS485 (differential).  Plus, the TX line has to be controlled in a very specific manner for the DMX-512 protocol.







    Basically, the LED outputs of the Brightsign would be used to control the features below interfaced to my board.  I would customize the firmware on my board to utilize a four-channel dimmer pack.  Each channel controls an individual output and so each output would be programmed to provide the 4 light features as described below.  I.E. channel 1 for entrance light, channel 2 for the UV light and so on.







    -Dick"





    Yes, you can use the HD410 for this. For pause/resume, I need to check. The unit has pause resume functions. But, some content don't resume properly. What kind of audio are you we playing? Just ac3, or mpeg1 layer II or III...
  • 0
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    Oscar Engberg


    Thanks, I will have to go with the Alcorn McBride units for this one since I already ordered them, but I might get a board from Dick as well.



    Regarding the file format, I can encode it to what works best for the unit.

    It will be surround sound in 5.1 (or actually 4.1 will not use the center channel).
  • 0
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    RokuLyndon


    ok. Let me know if you have any other questions.
  • 0
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    Oscar Engberg


    Thanks.

    So, can you provide a basic script for play file command over rs232?





    Another separate question:



    I want to play a looping video without sound from the vga or hdmi out and also connect three buttons to the gpio that are assigned to audio files played through the analog out, independantly from the video.



    Do I need the HD2000 for this or does it work on the HD410 as well?
  • 0
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    Oscar Engberg


    Never mind the last questions, I found out about simulaneous states (HD2000) and serial strings in the latest manuals.
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